Latch mechanism for reclining chairs



Jan. 6, 1931. J. T. LEAcH LATCH MECHANISM FOR RECLINING CHAIRS 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed 001;. 19, 1927 is ATTO EY Jan. 6, 1931. J. 1'. LEACH 1,788,113

LATCH MECHANISM FOR REGLINING CHAIRS Filed Oct. 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ww /ZS ATTOR EY Patented Jan. 6, 1931 UNITED STATESl *PATENT Fries JOHN T. LACH, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO INDIAN SPLINT INC., OF l ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION F kNEW YORK .LATCH MnoHANrsi/r Fon BEQL'INING CHAIRS Application mea october 19, 1927. seriaim. 227,093.

This invention relates to latch mechanism and has for an object the provision of a mechanism of this nature of relatively rugged construction, vsimple and inexpensive to manufacture and easy to adjust and operate.

Another Objectis to provide a latch mechanism which may be attached to a chair so as to eil'ect adjustment of certain movable parts thereon with respect to the iframe and so asto be conveniently accessible to a person seated therein. A'urther object is to pro-- vide mechanism of this nature which, is particularly adapted for use with reclining chairs in which the seat or back or both are adjustable to allow the person in the chair to assume a desired reclining position.

To these and other ends the invention re-` sides in certain improvements and combina-- tions of parts, rall as will be hereinaftermore fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claim at the end of the specification.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a reclining' chair illustrating the latch mechanism in dotted lines; Y Fig. 2 is a. view `similar to Fig. 1 showing the latch mechanism holding the seat and back portion in an inclined position;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken online 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig.V 4 is a fragmentary detailed view of the latch mechanism; and Fig. 5 is a detailed view taken on line 5 5 'of Fig. 2 illustrating the pivot rod and its connection to the chair seat.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts. The present embodiment of the invention provides a latch mechanism which is'adapted for various uses and is particularly advantageous in connection with reclining `chairs on which it can be applied in a conveniently accessible position without danger, however, of catching the clothing of persons seated therein. To this Aend the invention as disclosed is embodied in a rack member, or its equivalent,l xed o-n a tilting chair seat and cooperating with a detent positioned on the chair frame so that the detent may engage the rack in numercus positions therealong to thus hold the seat at a desired inclination.

Reterring more particularly to the drawings thereis indicated at 1V the frame section of a chair towhich thearms 2 and'legs 3 are secured 1n a Well known manner. Braces 3** are preferably provided for the frame 1 for the purpose or' strengthening the construcj tion; Y

A. pivot rod l is provided on the frame 1 for tiltably'supporting' the seat 5. The seat 5 may be secured in any desired mannerupon the-rod il, but in the present case there is shown a pair of journal members 6 suitably secured on the underside of the seat which embrace thelrod yandl hold they seat tiltably'v thereon.

Theback 7 of the chair, in the present em- Y bers in the form of circular blocks Siwhich surround the rod 4 adjacent the ends thereof, one side of the block 8 contacting with the frame and the otherside contacting with the seat. f f

|The latchmechanism for holding the seat at the desired inclination to the chair frame is shown in the present embodiment as a multiple abutment member or rack 9, se cured to Jthe seat member v5, cooperating with a movable engaging member or detent V10 on the frame 1. The rack 9 and the deten't 10 may assume various forms and may be arranged in various positions on the seat and frame, but in thepresent instance the rack 9 is of arcuate shape and depends from the side ot' seat member 5 at a point remote from the pivot 4f.r rlhe detent 1() is mounted on the frame 1 and is provided with suit-` ablel means whereby it may be extended and retracted with relation to the rack 9 so as to engage the abutments Vor teeth thereof.

The mechanism for extending and retracting vthe detent preferably comprises an operating member -or handle 11 pivotally connected intermediate .its ends at 12 to the frame 1 and having its lower end pivotally connected at 13 to the detent 10 so thatmovenient of the upper end of the handle 11 produces movement of the'detent toward or from the rack` 9. While the detent 10 mayassume `various shapes, it has been found preferable to form its front or engaging end with a portion projecting` substantially radially with respect to the pivot` l-while its rear end is bentdownwardbelow the pivot -12 of the handle 11 so as to connectwith the lower end thereof. Y Y

In order to insure holding the detent in proper position Athere isprovided a guide member 14' provided with an aperture 15 through which the detent passes. In the present instance thevguide 14e is formed from short piece of flat metal with its ends bent at right angles to each other. rlhe longer end 16 is secured to the chair frame while the shorter end 17, having the aperture therein, projects inwardlytoward the seat 5.

It will be noted that the rack and detent,-

forming the latch mechanism, are positioned so as to lie in the space between the seat 5 andthe frame 1. rEhe latch is thus placed substantially out ofl the Way so that persons seated in the chair` or passingthe chair will not be likely to catch theirclothing in the parts thereof. It is also apparent 'that the handle l1 as 'illustrated in Figs. 1V

and 2 is at all times readily accessible to one wishing to adjust the chair. j

A similar latch mechanism may be provided on the opposite side' of the chair, ii' such is desired. This latch could be operated from handle 117s@ ythat the detents on both sides would operate simultaneously.

It is apparent from the above description that the invention thus affords an eliicient latch mechanism which is particularly usef ful for reclining chairs7 and, as it is practically concealed and enclosed between the L chair parts, it provides a safe and sightly as well as a positive means 'for holding thel chair parts properly adjusted. At the same Vtime the latch is of such a simple construction as to be easilyhunderstood and manipf ulated by inexperienced persons without ingV one end accessible to therhand of the occupantof the chair as an operating arm, a bracketk on the inside of the base frame adjacent to the rack and between it and the operating lever, said bracket being provided with a guide, and a latch element pivotally oonncctedwith the other end of said lever and slidably and rockingly supported `in the guide to be actuated by the lever into and out of 'engagement with the rack.

L J T. 

